Care for Baby Goats - Make sure your kid has received colostrum. If you purchased your baby goat when they were at least five days old, don't worry. If you have a doe and plan on kidding yourself you need to understand colostrum. Colostrum is the first thick milk produced by your doe. It contains nutrients, carbs and proteins your baby goat needs. Most importantly, it contains antibodies, the only ones your young kid will have to protect him. The lining of your kid's digestive system changes within 24 hours of birth and he can only absorb those antibodies before the change occurs. Most does will make their own colostrum and you will have no worries. If your doe does not, you can buy colostrum at feed stores or from your vet.
Feed your baby goat regularly. Newborn kids have small stomachs and require feeding at least four times a day. This is easiest if the kid is left with his mother. There are cases when you may need to bottle feed your kid. Feed your baby goat using a baby bottle with a small "X" cut into the tip. Fresh goat's milk is best, but if you don't have access to goat's milk use raw cow's milk and add three tablespoons of corn syrup to each gallon. Your kid may refuse the bottle at first but be patient and persistent.
Care for Baby Goats
Provide your baby goat with a warm, dry place to sleep. The area should be covered to provide protection from the sun and rain. It should also be draft free. Straw is an ideal choice for bedding as it does not cling to your baby goat's coat, is easy to clean and provides good insulation. If your kid is born in the early spring or late winter a heat lamp may be required to keep him warm, especially at night.
Clean around your kid's ears, face and back legs daily using a warm, damp cloth. Remove all debris from his hooves and groom his coat with a soft brush.
Start your baby goat's diet on a good-quality, mold-free, grass hay such as Timothy, Orchard or Bermuda. Baby goats will begin nibbling on hay at one week of age. There are special hay racks designed just for baby goats which allow them to stick their little heads into the feeder. Gradually start to wean your goat at eight weeks and slowly introduce him to a special blend of goat feed. Each feed mix is a little different but a top-notch feed will contain a minimum of 16 percent crude protein and three percent crude fat. Read the directions on the container for how much to feed your kid.
They flounce, they bounce and they cuddle. There is no doubt that baby goats, or kids as they are officially known, are cute. Like all kids, they grow up fast and taking care of a baby goat can be a lot of work. Whether you are planning on breeding a doe and raising your own kids or buying a baby goat, a little knowledge can go a long way in making sure your baby goat is happy and healthy. - by eHow
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